Army to construct PTA infantry platoon battle course

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SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii (Aug. 23, 2013) -- The U.S. Army published the record of decision (ROD) to construct and operate a modern Infantry Platoon Battle Course (IPBC) and associated infrastructure to support current and future Army training requirements at Pōhakuloa Training Area, Hawaiʻi.

The military construction project, which was authorized and funded by Congress for 2013, would support the live-fire training needs of the Army, Army Reserve and Hawaiʻi Army National Guard units, as well as other military services stationed or trained in Hawai'i.

To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act, the Army prepared an environmental impact statement (EIS) that evaluated the potential environmental and socioeconomic effects associated with alternatives to construct and operate the IPBC. In the Final EIS (published in the Federal Register April 26, 2013), the Army presented analysis for two alternative locations:

•Alternative 1, the Western Range Area, and

•Alternative 2, Charlie Circle.

The Army identified the Western Range as the preferred and selected alternative. The Western Range is in an under-used portion of the PTA impact area where no ranges currently exist. The location has already been exposed to indirect munitions fire, and constructing the battle course here would reclaim a portion of the impact area.

This location was selected because this site better supports operational needs than the other alternatives. This alternative works best for dismounted infantry operations because it allows realistic scenarios, similar to what Soldiers are expected to encounter in combat operations overseas, and therefore provides the greatest training benefit.

The ground is also primarily comprised of 'a'ā lava, which is much more susceptible to softening, and construction can occur at a much lower cost than the pāhoehoe lava found at Charlie Circle. In addition, this alternative would result in fewer impacts on cultural and natural resources than the Charlie Circle location.

Cultural resources and listed plant species surveys were conducted, and though both were found to be present on the proposed range area, impacts to these resources can be avoided or mitigated.

The battle course allows the Army to train and test infantry platoons and other units in the same way they would fight, as a group. The skills necessary to detect, identify, engage and defeat stationary and moving infantry and armor threats will be trained and tested in this course.

Soldiers would fight the threats with small arms, machine guns and other weapon systems as part of live-fire training exercises. This battle course allows Soldiers maneuvering on the ground to practice coordinating air support. In addition to live-fire, the range would also be used for training with subcaliber and/or laser training devices. This type of training is essential for Soldiers to be prepared for the threats they will encounter during combat operations overseas.

During the analysis, the Army identified potential environmental impacts to air quality, threatened and endangered species, cultural sites, encountering munitions and explosives of concern, and igniting wildfires. Analysis showed significant impacts could occur to cultural resources.

To lessen or eliminate impacts to cultural resources, the Army entered into a programmatic agreement with the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation and Hawai'i State History Preservation Office, in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The agreement contains detailed actions the Army will take to reduce potential adverse effects to cultural resources.

For example, U.S. Army Garrison-Pōhakuloa Cultural Resources staff is working with the construction design team to make sure cultural resources are avoided where possible. They will also develop educational and awareness materials for the construction crew and install other protection measures at the site to ensure resources are avoided.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a biological opinion, Jan. 11 (in accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act), for the construction and operation of the battle course. The opinion contains various actions the Army will take during the construction and operation of the battle course to reduce the overall impacts on natural resources.

For example, the biological opinion contains measures required to protect the Hawaiian goose (n"n"). The Army will implement these measures throughout the entire Pōhakuloa Training Area.

The comments received on the FEIS during the 30-day waiting period did not raise any significant new issues that would require supplementation of the FEIS. The Army's record of decision includes the final measures the Army adopted to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts to both cultural and natural resources.

ROD and Final EIS

Requests to obtain a copy of the ROD may be emailed to USARMY.JBSA.AEC.MBX@mail.mil or contact the U.S. Army Environmental Command Public Affairs Office at its toll free number, 1-855-846-3940.

An electronic copy of the ROD and Final EIS is also available on the project website at www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/pta_peis/default.htm.